Panel discussion on the 25th anniversary of Václav Havel’s visit to the US and the renewal of relations between Czechoslovakia and the US
- Where: American Center U. S. Embassy Prague, Tržiště 13, Praha 1
- When: February 12, 2015, 14:00 – 17:30
Second from two-panels conferences about the travels of Václav Havel in 1990. The first panel moderated by Josef Jařab will focus mainly on the memories of 1990 (the circumstances, the importance of the journey), the second panel moderated by Jan Machacek will address the current relations between the Czech Republic and the USA.
From 20 to 22 February 1990, Václav Havel and a large team undertook a trip to Washington and New York. He delivered a legendary speech to both Houses of Congress in which he paradoxically called on the US to help Russia on its path to democracy. The visit included meetings with George H.W. Bush at the White House and many other important politicians, as well as with Czech expatriates and students, while a celebration at which numerous well-known artists performed was organised for the Czechoslovak president at New York’s St. John the Divine Cathedral. The visit became the basis for friendly relations between the two countries that later resulted in the Czech Republic being accepted into NATO.
Program:
Introduction: H. E. Ambassador Andrew H. Shapiro, Marta Smolíková
14:00-15:30: panel about the travel to US
Alexandr Vondra
Eda Kriseová
Martin Mejstřík
Moderator: Josef Jařab
16:00-17:30: panel about current relations between US - Czech Republic and US - European Union
Jiří Pehe
Daniel Anýž
Veronika Bednářová
Raymond A Castillo, Counselor for Public Affair of the US Embassy
Moderator: Jan Macháček
The event is being held in cooperation with the American Center; Czech/English interpretation will be provided.
Part of the Our return to the map of the world series.
Related photographs
- Václav Havel’s visit to the US in 1990 February 13, 2015